Deb Bergeson

Following a decade of international sport competition, Deb joined the Calgary Fire Department in 1998 with a BPE and BSc from the University of Calgary. Deb worked her way through the ranks serving the frontlines for 20 years including over five years in the Captain’s seat as Calgary’s first woman Captain. She joined CFD’s leadership team in 2018 as Assistant Deputy Chief – Operations and a couple of years later took on the newly formed portfolio of Operational Effectiveness & Engagement (OEE). This assignment saw Deb define and build OEE as a division dedicated to transforming culture, instilling people-centredness, developing and celebrating employees, and elevating workplace equity. Chief Bergeson was promoted to Deputy Chief in August 2023, and recently assumed the portfolio of Operations at the end of March 2024. She continues to work on her thesis project dedicated to the topic of inclusion and belonging in the fire service in her pursuit of a Master of Arts in Leadership degree. Deb, her husband (retired Fire Captain), and daughter enjoy the outdoors and are extremely proud of their association with the CFD.